The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-25

war Times.
Young Ncolay at Il was thrown on his
own strength and skill for living. He
served year in 4 country store at 81 a
month, then secured the position Of dia-
bolical adjunct in n printing Office. He
went first 10 the broom, then 20 the roller,
then 10 the case, then to the desk, and
beginning a. devil. - became editor and
proprietor. Afterward, while reading
law, he became a clerk in the office OF the
secretary OF state Of Illinois, and there, in
1877, among the politicians and story
tellers gathered around the roaring log
fire, he first made the acquaintance of
Abraham Lincoln There, too, without
a suspicion OF LincOln's coming fame, he
began that very year 10 make scrap books
containing an authentic record OF the
growth of events Of which the tall, caunt.
popular lawyer was soon 10 be the central
figure Col Nicolay took from q shelf
and showed me some of these thirty year
old scrap books, which he now finds indis-
pensable Hay and | made collections
for scrap books, also, said he, "all the
time that we were in the White House."
and he produced one Of these marked
upon the back Vol. NNNNIII."
"The first time | saw Mr.. Lincoln"
said Mr. Nicolay, was in Pittsiield, Ills,
where I was editing a paper in 1856
There was 70 be "A campaign rally there,
and Lincoln and Trumbull met on the
sidewalk and embraced each other warm
ly Why. Trumbull, you hereT said
Lincoln. Why, Lincoln, you here" re-
spOnded the senator, for the fact that they
were 10 speak for Fremont that night to-
gether was unknown 10 both. After.
ward around the stove in the Office Of
She secretary Of state, where I was q clerk
Cor four years, Lincoln was a familiar
presence and always the center Of the
group"
How came You 20 be the presidents
secretary" / asked
Il was at the Chicago convention"
said Col Nicolay land when Lincoln was
nominated | was ambitious TO write his
campaign biography | was greatly dis
appointed when j failed to get the job and
10 was given TO a young fellow from Ohio,
one w d. Howells, whom | had never
before heard Of We have all heard Of
him since / was regretting my bad luck
a day or two after TO Mr.. Butler, close
friend Of Lncoln's when he interrupted
me with, Hush, that's OF no consequence.
You are TO be private secretary. That's
the way it came about"
"How did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself
during the campaign
HE was always n self poised man.
quiet and equable in temper, seldom
greatly elated or much depressed He
was not worried about the campaign and
had himself thoroughly in hand People
sent him many curious symbols of from
tier iife-axes, madls, wedges, rails-and
all sorts Of people, on all sorts Of errands,
called on him in the governors room in
the state house, which was assigned TO
him. Many came from mere curiosity
and they would sit awkwardly around
looking at him. He could not talk poll
ties much at such time, and the bulk Of
his visitors were shy of speech They
handled the symbols that had been sent
in, and spoke TO him of their use and no
would sometimes take the end of an ax
hclye between his fingers and hold the AK
out mt arms length 10 show that no
had not lost his strength In various
simple ways he thus managed to kill
time One fellow had the impudence TO
come wearing a secession cockade on his
hat Lincoln spoke 10 him pleasantly
and shook hands as with the others, and
the intruder sat around half m hour,
looking foolish and saying nothing and
finally went out The crowd quietly ig-
nOred the intended insult
"Mr. Lincoln was just as democratic
in the White House, | believe" | said.
II
that went far toward giving him his firm
hold on the hearts Of the people. IL was
his custom, while he was president, TO hold
an informal reception between ~ and
o'clock each day, to hear in person the re-
quests and wishes Of all sorts Of people
who chose to come TO see him. Rich and
poor, white and black, crowded into his
business Office now Col LamOntsl, shook
hands and told him what they wanted.
lie generally wrote card aud referred
the petitioner TO the proper department,
but often he attended 20 it himself Men
who wanted Office came; alleged Union
ists who wanted pay for losses cranks
who showed him how 10 put down the re-
bellion; mothers VINO had sons in the
army. relatives Of men who had been
DlAtAtA ouDlt Albihpo WIN N'lt manu- hP
and wanted money or transportation TO
enable them TO 20 somewhere. 10 was
like some ancient Druid standing under
an oak tree and dealing out justice 10 the
realm.
/ asked if Mr. Lincoln comprehended
that be was In constant danger Of his
life
"Of course" said Col Nicolay 1T
was often discussed between his iriendo
and himself They would say Now,
Lincoln, yOu must look ont and be con
SANITY on your guard. Some crank is liza
bic 10 come along and kill YOU His
answer always was, i viii be careful.
But / cannot discharge my duties and
withdraw myself entirely from danger OF
an assault. / see hundreds Of strangers
every day, and il anybody has the dispo-
sition 90 XIII me he will find opportunity.
To be absolutely safe | should lock myself
up in box Threatening letters came,
and these I always showed 10 Mr.. Lin
,oln, who generally turned them over to
the war department. Washington Cor.
Chicago Herald.
Origin OF Cholera Outbreak.
The cholera m'crODc, whose native hab-
Itat is in Asia is q fellow Of fearful vital
It's. As we trace The recent outbreak OF
oLofar, fa.f- 20 ffe at-fflapf frfufr wa arc